Jake Neighbours is quickly learning some of the pitfalls of being a young hockey player looking to make it in the NHL.  

Sometimes, the journey is fraught with ups and downs.  The ups and downs of trips between St. Louis, Missouri, home of the Blues of the NHL, and Springfield, Massachusetts, home of their American Hockey League affiliate the Springfield Thunderbirds.  The 20-year-old Airdronian has made the trip between the two cities twice in the space of a week.

After spending seven games with the T-Birds where he picked up five assists, Neighbours was recalled by Blues GM Doug Armstrong on Monday, November 28th and re-joined the team that night for a game against the Dallas Stars where the Blues dropped a 4 - 1 decision.  Neighbours had no points, and one shot-on-goal during his 11:41 on the ice.

He suited up again on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, a game that proved to be another loss for the Blues as they dropped a 6 - 4 decision.  Neighbours was held off the score sheet while recording a shot-on-goal and 9:08 on the ice.

On Friday, the Blues sent Neighbours back to Springfield for another stint in the AHL.

The two games he played in last week means Neighbours has appeared in 13 games with St. Louis, logging one goal and picking up four minutes in penalties.  The 6-foot, 201-pound Neighbours was the Blues' number one draft pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, 26th overall.

Just like the young Airdrie resident, the Blues are in the midst of a season that's seen many ups and downs, resulting in a record of 11 - 13 - 0,  Last night the Blues dropped a 6 - 2 decision to the Pittsburgh Penguins.  

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